The walls were made of jagged rock and towered above the cluster of ponies. They huddled together, fear wrapping around them with oily tendrils. A dark shadow appeared on the wall much larger than expected.
“W-What is that?” Rainbowdash whispered shakily, nudging the purple alicorn in front of her. Swallowing hard Twilight opened her mouth to speak when a deep booming voice spoke.
“Not an It. A he.” it thundered. A flash of white fangs against shadow caused more than one pony to scream. “And here you were supposed to be the bearers of the elements. Celestia’s chosen knights.” it mused the presence inching ever closer. Whimpering, Fluttershy clung to Pinkie Pie’s side, as the pink pony stared up defiantly at the inky blackness.
“We are.” Twilight whispered before clearing her throat. Speaking out more clearly she repeated her words. “We are the bearers of the elements of harmony.” The thing merely chuckled.
“Your cute little rainbows won’t work on me. I already know all about friendship. I have so many friends.” Each of the ponies ears pricked at the sounds of hoofsteps. “They want to meet you.” the voice continued smoothly.
“How the hay can you have any friends?” a twanging voice rang out.
“Oh Applejack, you’ll understand soon enough.” the voice said, it’s grin a bright smudge in the darkness.
“Sure I will.” she muttered. She felt a comforting hoof on her shoulder and smiled at the pegasus, though she couldn’t see her.
“We aren’t afraid of you!” Rainbowdash yelled, her voice cracking.
“Aren’t you?” the shadowy figure asked incredulously. The ponies felt a tremor underneath their hooves. “Try to defeat me little ponies. No one’s been able to do it. Maybe you’ll be the ones to finally put me underground.” Despite the terror Rarity could still scoff.
“We’re already underground.” she muttered. “And it’s wet and slimy down here!” she complained.
“Ah yes, I must agree that this place isn’t prime living conditions.” the voice sympathised. “I must apologize for such rudeness, but it can’t be helped when you’ve been reduced to nothing more than a shadow.” it paused. “Actually I was blown to bits.” his tone was cold. “But you don’t care about that. You were there after all.”
“Wait…” Twilight said mind racing. “Who are you?” There was a long sighing noise.
“You seriously don’t know? How observant are you dear? Didn’t Celestia tell you? Or did you just stumble into these caves?”
“I wouldn’t call it ‘stumbling. Perhaps a more appropriate way of putting it would be ‘chasing after Rainbowdash and Applejack as they try to out dare each other by running into dark caves’.” Rarity grumbled earning a shove from Applejack.
“Sombra.” Twilight said suddenly. “You’re Sombra.”
“There we go! Now where is that idiot dragon? I would love to rip him apart.” the voice snarled.
“You ain’t touching him, or anypony else.” Applejack said sternly.
“He’s not here is he?” Sombra asked.
“Eenope!” was his answer.
“Fine!” he snapped. “Even so, I’m known for my temper and right now…” he licked his lips. “I would love to see a certain group of ponies screaming in terror. It’ll be good for my whole terrifying image.” The hoofsteps were much closer now, a thundering of never ending drum beats. “Don’t worry.” He said as the bearers of the elements were grabbed rather roughly. There was much struggling and screaming before they were subdued. “It’ll be fun.”